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GOLDEN LARK 



GOLDEN LARK 

A SYMPHONY OF REINCARNATION 
IN SEVEN TABLEAUX 



BY 

FLORENCE RICHMOND 



NEW YORK 

ROGER BROTHERS, Publishers 

191 1 



LONDON: L. N. FOWLER Sf CO. 



111! 



Copyright, 191 i, by 
ROGER BROTHERS 



THE TROW PRESS, NEW YORK 



vp. i •■ .^W 'J 



©CI.A30(K;92 



TO THE ANGEL OF LOVE 

" Entreat me not to leave thee, 
Or to return from following after thee : 
For whither thou goest, I will go ; 
And where thou lodgest, I will lodge : 
Thy people shall be my people, 
And thy God my God : 
Where thou diest, will I die. 
And there will I be buried : 
The Lord do so to me, and more also. 
If aught but death part thee and me." 

—BOOK OF RUTH. 



LIST OF CONTENTS 

Portrait Frontispiece . , . Florence Richmond 

TABLEAU I PAGE 

The Heart's Desire , , 17 

TABLEAU II 
The Heart of the Rose 31 

TABLEAU III 
Spirit of the Sea 45 

TABLEAU IV 
God's Ways Are Best 55 

TABLEAU V 
Spirits of Prophecy 69 

TABLEAU VI 
Children of the Stars . . 79 

TABLEAU VII 
Realization 91 



DRAMATIS PERSONS 

Golden Lark .... Victory of Life over Death 
Baal John .... Symbol of Generative Power 

AsHTORETH Complement of Baal John 

Elfin Sylph Intermediate Spirit 

Master Spirit A Triumphant Soul 

Other Spirits Loving Attendants 



PROLOGUE 

It is my privilege to give to the world a 
symphony of reincarnation. For those not 
yet ripe for a work so strange, the production 
may be regarded as a dream-poem — that 
first insight into the mysterious realm of 
immortality. 

The simplicity of the characters portray 
the delicate and psychological unfolding of 
their lives. All have their places and their 
potent meanings; yea, infinitely more than 
a dream phantasy, however beautiful. 

Golden Lark symbolizes the victory of Life 

over Death. She, having reached the truth 

supreme, returns to earth loves and ties. Her 

pure ideals of joy, of love, of light are again 

interpreted at the sanctuary of Love. 

1 1 



PROLOGUE 



Baal John symbolizes the god of generative 
power. He has been worshiped, also, as a 
sun-god with a crown of rays. 

Ashtoreth, the complement of Baal John, 
is sometimes represented under the sign of 
the crescent. In this symphony of reincar- 
nation, she stands for the highest type of 
mortal woman; yet, withal, ever ready to 
pierce the veil of mystic radiance. 

Elfin Sylph, according to the Greek, was 
a spirit of the air. Paracelsus represents the 
sylph as holding an intermediate place be- 
tween the material and the immaterial beings. 

The Spirits are triumphant souls. They 
hover near with insistent, loving command. 

The Author. 



13 



GOLDEN LARK 



THE HEART'S DESIRE 
Tableau One 

A music room, Through an open window the 
sinking sun Jills the room with rays of light. 
Golden Lark, leaning against the casement^ 
is absorbed in the beauty of the sunset. Baal 
John enters and after a moment'' s hesitation 
speaks reproachfully to Golden Lark. A 
Master Spirit, unseen^ hovers near, 

Baal John 

Thou art a strange, a most strange girl 
To baffle thus my heart's desire. 
Thy dreams on crimson wings of fire 
Leap like flame the glittering swirl 
That bathes the white cathedral spire. 

My pretty one, how camest thou 

To follow fairy visions far? 

See, see, my winsome bird, the star 

Of eve shines fair upon the brow 

Of heav'n. There no perplexings mar. 

17 



GOLDEN LARK 



Master Spirit (Speaks chidingly to Baal John.) 

Unhappy one! The Fates foretell 
Thee bare of reason. Be not blind 
To power of spirit unconfined, 
And thou shalt stand unwearied, well 
Equipped against rebellious mind. 

What honors seekest thou as man 
Grown hopeless in thine own deep gloom.i^ 
Thou must progress, but not presume! 
Go, then, and break the dismal ban, 
Ere angered gods thy strength consume. 

Baal John listens to the voice^ then appeals 
to Golden Lark. 



Baal John 

O pause upon thy word this night. 
Let not the spirits of far worlds 
Behold our bitter-sweet in whirls 
Of shattered dream. Beloved, in flight. 
We, two, shall find Life's purest pearls. 

19 



GOLDEN LARK 



Golden Lark 

Like dust of lilies at our feet, 

This garment of my soul doth fade. 

Upon my brow an angel laid 

His time of coming. Do not weep — 

The morn illumes night's heavy shade. 

To learn the theme of Life's great song 
Thou must ignore all doubts, all fears. 
Indeed, with what is pure and strong 
Thou must exalt thy soul, though long 
Companioned with revengeful years. 

It is God's way that I must go. 
With joy I wait His urgent call; 
And as this rose I here let fall, 
I stand within the central glow — 
That Christ, His Son, gave all for all! 

Baal John 

Thy voice, like music, magnifies 
The thought of God upon my brain; 
Like tempest wild is my complain 

11 



\ 



GOLDEN LARK 



Without thee. Love. My whole world lies 
In stifling darkness. All is vain ! 

How shall I 'scape the fires that flare 
Upon thy brow, thy luring eyes? 
A swallow swiftly wings the skies, 
And strikes the clouds with dauntless dare. 
To hark the lute of Paradise. 

If I were like the gallant bird 
I would not dream of yesterday; 
I would not yield unto the lay 
That sounds a dirge in broken word. 
But sing, and bear me far away. 

Golden Lark 

Hush, hush, dear heart, thy common grief 
Is but the shadow of earth's gloom. 
Plan well to pluck Life's fairest bloom, 
Though far from thee, on highest reef — 
Past doubt, past death, past crumbling 
tomb! 

[She falls upon a couch. Attendants enter ^ 

23 



GOLDEN LARK 



The hour is come! I pass the dark — 
An angel quickens his soft pace. 
O let me look upon thy face, 
And call me once again thy Lark, 
Here in this dear familiar place. 

Baal John (Kneels beside her,\ 

Must I then stretch my hands to thee 
Beyond the realms of Eden's goal? 
Shalt fail me now thy seraph-soul, 
Unheeding all the majesty 
Revealed within Life's wonder-bowl ! 

Golden Lark 

O grieve not so with sobbing breath! 
If haply I should pass again 
The paths of earth, the joys of men — 
Then thou shalt know there is no death 
Beyond the border of earth's ken. 

The peaceful blues enfold each star; 
Night's measure runneth o'er and well 
His cup. Earth-days no man can tell. 

25 



GOLDEN LARK 



God swings a light across the bar — 
Peace, peace, dear love — Farewell ! Fare- 
well ! (Golden Y^k^y. passes from earthy 

Master Spirit (Still in shadow^ 

Now panic of the darksome day 
Yields burning tears upon his cheek. 
Still on his eyes and brain must seek 
The secret paths of unknown way, 
E'en though they lead through shadows 
bleak. 

Baal John (Picks up the rose,^ 

This rose, this fading rose, her gift! 
It, too, did once impel and thrill 
The hovVing bird to song and trill. 
But now it seeks the winds that drift 
By shaded stream, so cool, so still. 

But ere it goes I kiss the dust. 
At birth the queen of ev'ry flower 
In blush of field or in the bower. 

27 



GOLDEN LARK 



Perchance, 'twill fall where caskets rust, 
And crown once more Love's matchless 
hour. 

(Baal John kisses the hand (?/^ Golden Lark.j 

One kiss for love, one kiss for woe. 
Upon thy chill, thy snow-white hand: 
Dear-one, thou didst not understand 
The bitterness my heart must know 
'Mid shadows of this darkened land. 

I gave my all of Love to thee 

In loyal troth. But since thou crossed 

That river wrapt in icy frost, 

I know the mighty tragedy. 

Beloved ! My heart's whole world is lost ! 

Scene fades into a purple light which grad- 
ually changes into darkness. 



ig 



HEART OF THE ROSE 
Tableau Two 

Sce?te: A garde?i, A fountain playing in the 
background, Baal John relentlessly destroys 
a rose, 

Baal John 

sweetest flower ere seen, 

What is this task that she requires of me? 
What is the quest that shapes my destiny? 
How can I wisdom glean? 

Thou must now aid my cause, 

So read upon my face thy tragic end, 

Thou bruised sweet, while none shall thee 

defend, 
Nor bid my hand to pause. 

The whiles we are fast friends 

1 look into thy face defyingly, 

With sudden, wild desire approaching me 
Of master-sense, that lends — 

31 



GOLDEN LARK 



Excuse of strong pretext 
To ope the golden urn that holds thy heart, 
And fond possession take thereof a part. 
Although thy soul I vexed. 

I stand, with ruthless hands. 
Before thy loveliness of such rare grace 
That God Himself gives smile upon thy face, 
And harks thy soft commands. 

But know thy heart I must. 
Producing what will dull the very light. 
So strangely-strange will be the awful sight 
Of bleeding leaves in dust. 

What's in thy heart of flame? 

Why burns and flays this seething-hot 

desire? 
Why all these vampire-clamorings, so dire. 
Of unappeased shame? 

Like some tormented dream. 
Anew with agonies of too full life 
Concentered on the picture, tears are rife 
For what may to thee seem — 

33 



GOLDEN LARK 



Abhorred ingratitude. 

At all times Love would stand my counselor, 

And therefore spare what angels most 

adore — 
Thy heart's sweet solitude. 

Yet from that voice I turn 
To blight the power of thy disputeless spell, 
And drag thee from thy Paradise to Hell 
Though shame must ever burn — 

Its fire upon my brow. 
The human soul, in labyrinths of Love, 
Lets fall kind pity on the wounded dove — 
It falls not on thee now. 

But ere I finely mar 

Each fibred vein, inwrought with match- 
less art, 
I'll hold thee close unto my panting heart, 
Then straightway send afar — 

Thy soul to whence it came. 

From out the fragrant tears upon thy cheek, 

3S 



GOLDEN LARK 



Perchance some tender balm will through 

me seek 
To soothe a wildest aim. 

Master Spirit (Standing in shadow^ 

How vain the ecstasy 
That strips the altar-lights of mystic life. 
The sacramental bowl for sin and strife, 
Was drunk in agony. 

AsHTORETH enters and glances from Baal John 
to the destroyed rose. She speaks tenderly, 

AsHTORETH 

What shadow falls, dear love? 
Hast set all hope upon a sombre grief. 
Like spirit lost upon a jutted reef. 
Where sighs the dying dove ? 

Or grievest thou for song 
Adrift in province of a starless night? 
No glory is forgotten of God's light 
Through all the ages long. 

37 



GOLDEN LARK 



Retread thy steps again 
To lofty heights, where Life is full and free; 
'Tis there the gods will greet the god in thee. 
And still thy heart's keen pain. 

Baal John 

My Ashtoreth, my friend ! 
Half startled at thy coming and thy voice, 
Chagrined I blush, but shall anon rejoice 
That senseless grief must end. 

Yet saddest thought of her. 

So lately gone upon the fluttered wind. 

Splits wide the root of this once flow'ring 

mind. 
And leaves a fatal blur. 

Ashtoreth 

Then speak of her, dear John; 
Do let me fill a friend's most holy place. 
True sympathy was born of that white grace 
When Christ, His mission won. 

Baal John takes a portrait from his pocket 
and speaks earnestly, 

Z9 



GOLDEN LARK 



Baal John 

Her portrait! Could it speak 

What words would bless or grieve her 

silent lips? 
The bud entwined within her hair e'en slips 
Its fragrance on her cheek. 

How radiant her face! 
It takes me back unto a living dream 
Of ecstasy. Expectant in the gleam 
My soul waits pard'ning grace. 

Grace need I. Angels see. 

The passion of my heart is lost in shame. 

Love strong as death no right have I to 

claim 
Like priest of deity. 

ASHTORETH 

The birdlings of the past 
Lie dead upon the bosom of Life's urn. 
All pleasures fled are memories that turn 
To dust^ and yet — they last. 

41 



GOLDEN LARK 



No cry, no grief, no fret 
Can ere recall the chords of music spent; 
The echoed tones of melody are sent 
To lull each deep regret. 

Then search the verdant sods, 

For living radiance within thy reach. 

O scorn the treach'rous sands, I do beseech, 

Of stealthy, tricking gods! 

Come, put thy grief away. 

Forgetting all, but magic of thy youth ! 

Awake thy soul ! Upturn thine ear to 

truth. 
This song-enchanted day ! 

Baal John 

For thy dear sake, loved one, 

I'll walk with thee where sorrow murmurs 

not. 
The wines of rushing strength, so long 

forgot, 
I'll drink till day is done! 

Curtain, 

43 



SPIRIT OF THE SEA 

Tableau Three 

Baal John stands on an elevation overlooking 
the sea. He listens to the music of the waves j 
then speaks as if entranced, 

Baal John 

Is this a dream ? Behold, the sky 
Now seems to melt in sapphired seas! 
Atop a cliff that cuts the breeze 
I stand; and far below me lie 
The shining gems of royal coronet — 
The night-fall sun and shadow met. 
Thick undertints, in heaving folds, 
Glide through the webs of tangled weeds, 
And swaying threads of scarlet reeds 
That blend with crimsons, blues and golds. 

As I upgaze the starling brood 
Red-tinge the drifts of billow'd snow. 
And silently the moon rides low 
Across the world unveiled of snood. 

45 



GOLDEN LARK 



I hear a song, like unbound stream, 
That fills my heart with tender dream. 
And with the song a distant bell 
Upon the air is clearly heard. 
The passion of my soul is stirred — 
Some wondrous joy the peals foretell ! 

(Sings reminiscently^ 

Were I a bird on broken wing. 

In dust at thy white feet. 

With never more the heart to sing 

When flowers were fair in scented spring 

Wouldst thou then love me, sweet? 

Or wouldst thou let the weary pain 
Grow leaden in the night. 
And like the misty shapes in rain 
Flee shuddering across the plain 
With birds of stronger flight — 

Were I a bird? 

[He begins to recognize the truth of invisible life*) 

47 



GOLDEN LARK 



Prophetic voices sing to me, 
They stay the tempest of my cry! 
Oh, joy! The anthem of the sky 
Vibrates celestial harmony. 
As through the gates of pearly light 
The sea's white soul makes swiftest flight 
To mine; for we are kindred things 
To all that is. A new life-breath 
Takes shape, and scorns what fools call 

death — 
In chain of endless blossomings. 

(He listens in ecstasy to the passing song?\ 



Chorus of Spirits 

The furies of the restless deep make mad, 
Wild holiday upon the bare 
Green-breasted waves. Beyond compare 
His mighty heart is thrilled, is glad. 
For here beneath the sylvan gauze. 
Not one conflicting wind makes pause 
As from the glitt'ring worlds above, 

49 



GOLDEN LARK 



On pinions fleet, in mystic form, 
Joy comes with hand so soft, so warm 
He thinks it is a phantom dove. 

Master Spirit 

At last she penetrates his eyes. 
Unmasked of her once icy snows. 
The gods, in rapture, scatter glows 
From bursting suns across the skies. 
The while her love is centered there 
God's song is echoed everywhere! 

;' She comes to him in mystery. 

Yet bids him know God's words are true. 

*■ She sings, she wings the dazzling blue — 

i Eternal spirit of the sea! 

Chorus of Spirits 

Observe what precious thing is life 
With mortal mate as fair as morn ! 
Fotget this mystic hour; and scorn 
Remembrances of human strife! 
The sea's white soul, 'mid scenes so dear, 
Soon flies away — far, far from here. 

51 



GOLDEN LARK 



Elysium awaiteth thee! 
Go ! Couch among Love's fairest flowers; 
The gods will bless thy slumber hours, 
E'en though their forms ye cannot see. 
The morn comes riding on the sun — 
The stars are fading one by one. 
Upon the winged air we'll shine — 
With moon caressings of the night, 
But, swifter than a thought takes flight. 
We'll come again to thee — and thine. 

Baal John hears again the call of the bell and 
turns from the vision of the cliff. 



Baal John 

Again I hear that silv'ry bell! 
Alas, I cannot tarry more. 
Sweet soul, thou must forever soar 
With starry spirits — Fare thee well! 



SZ 



GOD'S WAYS ARE BEST 
Tableau Four 

Time: Morning, Ashtoreth is seated in an 
arm chair ^ sewing. An open book is lying on 
the table beside her, Baal John enters with 
a cheery salutation, 

Ashtoreth 

A fairest greeting to thee, friend! 

Baal John 

Thou hast my thanks, sweet soul of balm ! 
What book is here ? The gods thee lend 
The tender words of blissful calm. 
Hast patience then, my words to hear? 

Ashtoreth 

Say on, and I will give thee heed. 

Baal John 

Thy sympathy I hold most dear; 
So free from guile, so true in need. 

55 



GOLDEN LARK 



ASHTORETH 

Speak, speak. Why dwellest thou on 

words ? 
If ever I've been help to thee — 

Baal John 

Thy voice is like the song of birds — 

AsHTORETH 

Hush, hush thy foolish ecstasy. 

I push the curtain back — there flies 

A swallow. Canst describe his wing, 

His furtive eye, his tiny sighs ? 

Ah, tell me now, this simple thing! 

And tell me why away so long? 

What wicked witch held thee in awe? 

Nay, keep thy secret, if 'tis wrong 

That I it share. No slightest flaw 

Shall blind my faith in thee. Thy need? 

I thirst to aid its every cause; 

And if I fail why — then, indeed, 

I shall with shame before thee pause. 

Yet thou art cruel to a friend. 

57 



GOLDEN LARK 



My love doth strain its willing sense 
In honest truce to thee defend; 
Till vexed at mine own innocence — 
I chide the fault that holds in thrall 
My peace. No more the sorry thought, 
'Twas much; but now I hear thy call — 
I loving give all thou hast sought. 

Baal John 

Alas, dear one! Thou art too sweet 
To tease thy life with such as L 
Away from thee my wandering feet 
Sped on. Pursued by awful cry 
I writhed upon the ocean's edge, 
And begged some power to pity me. 
A phantom leaned against a ledge; 
His burning eyes peered leeringly 
Into my anguish-pallid face. 
"Hence! spirit of cloud, hence!" I cried: 
"The imps of hell thy shadows trace." 
The demon laughed. I was defied. 
Struck to the heart by spectral fright, 

59 



GOLDEN LARK 



My voice outburst in pleading cry 

For dreamless sleep. The moon hung 

white — 
We were so tired — my heart and L 

ASHTORETH 

The chilling trend of thy strange lot, 
Lies thickly strewn with human fears. 
Life's sweetest purpose seems forgot. 
And comfortless thy precious years, 

Baal John 

God help me now ! Why do I thrill 
With thoughts of her? And by what path 
Shall come to me the fullest will 
Of Golden Lark — Love's aftermath? 

AsHTORETH 

Thou'lt never win the treasure-heights. 
Thus list'ning echoes of the past. 
And be thou sure thy witless flights 
Shall wreck at last upon the blast. 

6i 



GOLDEN LARK 



Baal John 

Here all is beautiful! Yet thou 
Canst not release me from my pain 
With gentle words. I shall, I vow — 
Nay, do not fear my wild complain — 
Life's secret find. Where? None can tell. 
Then fleet as fawn, I shall explore 
The wonders of each hidden cell. 
Though base or fair the covet-store. 

ASHTORETH 

Whilst giving chase to thy vain dream, 
I'll let thee ponder here alone. 
I love the boughs, the stirring stream; 
I'm weary of thy senseless moan. 

Exii AsHTORETH. 

Baal John 

She's gone to tread the sweet wood-grass 
In thickets hid. She cannot hear 
My sad despairing cry. Alas, 
Too fearful in this hour so drear. 

(>3 



GOLDEN LARK 



Life's countless pains like thistles grow, 
And thrive as do all things of strife; 
Yet I must grope until I know 
The purpose of this little life. 
Like palest star the light begins — 
The current of a sun grown dim; 
It searches through the mocking dins 
Of mortal faiths, too fair, too grim. 

AsHTORETH {RetuTtis With her arms full of 
roses^ 

Thy speech is strange. I know it not! 
What matter? Here are joys for thee. 
These lusty loves care not a jot 
How mortals live or die. Oh, see — 
These buds of Spring had birth this morn. 
Alas! What tyrant plagues thee so? 
Hark to the voice of the elfin horn — 
'Tis calling us — intent and low. 

Baal John 

Sweet Ashtoreth, no more Til pine — 
Lead thou me on, then will I go. 

65 



GOLDEN LARK 



ASHTORETH 

The gods will teach thee speech — not 

mine — 
Aye, by the rose — bliss shalt thou know! 

^s Baal John and Ashtoreth pass out hand 
in hand^ a dazzling light follows them. 



Attendant Spirits 

Joy opens wide the gates of Spring; 
The breath of Love now fills each breast. 
There is no death within Life's ring — 
Know, mortals, all — God's ways are best! 

The scene faaes in silvery mist. 



67 



SPIRITS OF PROPHECY 

Tableau Five 

From an eminence the spirits are seen. In the 
foreground the Master Spirit is reclining^ half 
absorbed in the beauty of a rippling stream 
flowing at his feet, Baal John standing in 
the background^ hears in amazement their 
words of prophecy. 

Master Spirit 

The hour is come ! 'Tis meet to tell 
These mortals all their sacred right. 
Too oft they've wept in dark of night, 
Unconscious of the holy spell 
That glorifies the bridal light. 

Then let us warn the imps of dread 
To take them back to Shades of Hate. 
Our charmed word does now relate 
How Joy, on feet of noiseless tread. 
Strides close unto triumphant Fate. 

(^9 



GOLDEN LARK 



A glory child awaits Love's call 
To fly to earth like bird in May. 
This Golden Lark of yesterday 
Now bids the angels break her thrall. 
And speed her back the wondrous way. 

Attendant Spirits 

O ! Master Spirit, hintest thou 
A witching hour of birth is nigh? 
When shall we hear the birdling cry, 
That sealing kiss of marriage vow 
On gentle breast — Love's lullaby. 

Master Spirit ( Gives promise ofreincarnation,\ 
To this fair world, she deemed as lost. 
Sweet Golden Lark will come again. 
She longs to dwell with mortal ken, 
For scented June, for winter's frost. 
And all the quick'ning thoughts of men. 

Master Spirit and Attendants 
To earthly life she will return 
A little child again to be. 

71 



GOLDEN LARK 



So let us sing our symphony, 

The jfitting vows that thrill and burn 

Upon the brow of Destiny. 

The spirits slowly disappear, 

Baal John {Responding to vanishing spirits^ 

Beloved Master! Spirits dear! 
I am become a tranced thing! 
My tears are joyful as they spring, 
For through the vistas, strangely clear, 
Fair Golden Lark is beckoning 

Enter Ashtoreth. She places her hand on 
John's shoulder and speaks to him appealingly, 

Ashtoreth 

O, ease thy troubled breast, 
These sobs, this vain unrest. 

And dry thy tears. 

Obey Life's righteous laws, 
Then thou shalt have no cause 
For tyrant fears. 

73 



GOLDEN LARK 



Like winds the years will pass, 
And hearts will change, alas, 
Alas, too soon! 

Come, let us love today. 
It cannot last alway — 

Life's precious boon. 

List, how the sweet birds sing. 
Then flit on hurried wing 

Far from the snow. 

O, let us crown Love's hour 
With every fragrant flower. 

Before we go. 

The flaming stars of night, 
On lustrous wings of light. 

With morn are fled. 

Then, haste thy tardy feet 
Through cooling grasses, sweet. 
Ere love is dead ! 

75 



GOLDEN LARK 



Baal John 

Thy words my fever chills. 
Forgive, dear heart, the ills 

Grief magnifies. 

Thy voice bespeaks new joys 
Far from the lap of noise — 

Come, come, time flies! 



Baal John and Ashtoreth (^Sing together.^ 

A bird of strange delight, 
With plumage wondrous bright. 
Before us wings. 

For Love she waited long. 
Her one wild-valiant song — 

She sings — she sings! 

As the scene fades y soft strains from the harp 
are heard. 



11 



CHILDREN OF THE STARS 

Tableau Six 

Scene: The heavenly spheres. Golden Lark, 
having fulfilled her life in the spiritual heavens 
longs to return to earth. Her first complaint 
is heard when she calls to the night-bird. 

Golden Lark 

O come to me, sweet bird of night, 
And sing the song thou lovest best. 
Come, come on pinions snowy white — 
And fill my heart with blissful rest! 

O sing of far-ofF winsome things, 
Of happy mortals far away. 
And sing of blossom-scented springs, 
Till dawn drops on the cheek of day. 

O let thy golden-luted strain 
The door of memory unbar. 
Mayhap one note of thy refrain 
Will waft to earth — from my lone star. 

79 



GOLDEN LARK 



sing, till slumber lies on seas 
Of half-forgotten worlds of light. 
Sing, sing caressing melodies — 

Sweet bird of night — sweet bird of night I 

Elfin Sylph 

What restless thought betrays thy dream? 
What voiceless cry within thy heart? 
Oj canst thou not forget the gleam 
Of tearful earth — the mortal part? 

Golden Lark 

Draw near, and I will answer thee: 

In this calm life I long for winds 

That sweep the snowflaked mountains, 

free — 
And all the force that storm unbinds. 

1 long to take my fretful soul 
To lands of yesterday. 

I long to go where waters roll 
On sands of coldest gray. 

8i 



GOLDEN LARK 



I long to feel their seething foam, 
In bitter rifts and sweet, 
Yield unto me the sea-weed loam, 
Green-dripping at my feet. 

I long to hear the wild sea bird, 

Responsive to his mate, 

Scream fiercely through the dins that 

stirred 
The whirlwinds of his fate. 



Elfin Sylph 

O, wouldst thou see the flapping thing 
In terror pass thee by? 
Then, floating back on level wing, 
To come with searching eye — 

And hang with calm, unaltered mien. 
Like phantom steely-white. 
Above thee there, with naught between 
But shades of coming night? 

83 



GOLDEN LARK 



Golden Lark 

Ah, yes, Td see him wing once more 
From beating — -tossing sea; 
Then, spent like me, on lone bleak shore, 
Learn God's great harmony. 

Elfin Sylph 

Whence came the power of mortal clods 
To teach thee such a sad complain? 
Thy jeweled scepter from the gods 
Is dimmed with tears, as with a stain. 

Golden Lark 

Do not contest me overmuch. 

But rather counsel wise content; 

For Love withdraws his gentlest touch. 

When eyes grow blind to purpose meant. 

Elfin Sylph 

Why canst thou not be reconciled 
In this rare garden of God's bloom ? 
Wouldst live again a bird or child 
In Error's land of doubts and gloom? 

85 



GOLDEN LARK 



Golden Lark 

I heard a flute sing in the night, 

An old-time sweetest tune. 

Then soft as clouds that drift from sight, 

When evening curtains out the light. 

It passed like scented June. 

Yet think that I can e're forget 
The music of that strain ? 
From out my dreams, dim eyes are wet 
For very joy our souls had met. 
Though love was born in vain. 

Elfin Sylph 

Ah, so? Then falter hot thy word. 
Take from thy heart the sigh, 
And sing thy wish like happy bird 
In forest deep, where naught is heard 
Of Melancholy's cry. 

Golden Lark 

I wish I were a babe, my sweet, 

That I might dream upon Love's heart. 

87 



GOLDEN LARK 



And in my slumber there complete 
My dreaming — Love's immortal part. 

Elfin Sylph 

Some day the dream of all thy dreams. 
Sweet as the sun's loose blossomings — 
Will wake to life on rainbow gleams, 
And fill new spheres with rapturings. 

Golden Lark and Elfin Sylph [Sing together^ 

Look, look ! How fair morn grows apace! 
I hear a distant bridal bell — 
The trillioned suns all glooms efface — 
Farewell, God's sweet! A glad farewell ! 

Golden Lark in the form of a babe^ floats 
away on clouds back to earth. 



89 



REALIZATION 

Tableau Seven 

Scene First, A brilliant church scene. 
The marriage of Ashtoreth and Baal John 

has just been solemnized. As they leave the 
church deep organ t07ies are heard. Through 
the cathedral gates the Spirits of Prophecy 
appear. When the music becomes a whispered 
cadence the spirits sing their prophecy. 

Chorus of Spirits 

The air is filled with subtle sweet — 
Like fragrant breath from Alpine snows. 
The lyric muse attunes complete 
Love's melody. True souls now meet 
Beneath the crown of bridal rose. 

To Jove's high throne we speed our way. 
We'll rest upon his mighty wing, 
Until that blithe — that treasure-day, 

91 



GOLDEN LARK 



And then we'll come from out the gray — 
When all is still, and sing, and sing! 

(Spirits rise higher and higher from circle to 
circle^ 

Scene Second, The homecoming ^Ashtoreth 
and Baal John. The mystery of night is 
about them. The bridal chamber is beautiful 
in a shimmer of yellow light, Baal John 
draws Ashtoreth to his heart and pledges the 
devotion of his soul, 

Baal John 

At last thou art my lovely bride! 
Thy brow is fair with bridal flowers. 
Thy starry eyes seem glorified. 
Whilst here I stand by thy dear side 
In this earth-paradise of ours. 

Ashtoreth and Baal John (Sing together^ 

Dear soul of mine. Love's vow is true, 
Pledged 'neath the altar's holy glow. 

9Z 



GOLDEN LARK 



The heritage of bliss in view 

With thee, new joys, new hopes imbue — 

And magnify the truths we know. 

Curtain, 

Scene 'Third, The House of Love. Ash- 
TORETH is standing by an open window listen- 
ing to the drowsy hum of the insect world, 
Baal John enters, Ashtoreth turns to greet 
him and beckons him to come to the window. 
Pointing to the blossoming garden^ Ashtoreth 
directs his attention to the beauty of the scene 
and then tells him of her vision of the new 
habitant of the House of Love, 



Ashtoreth 

O dream of light ! I heard a cry — 
A baby lisp, like cooing dove. 
Sweet Golden Lark slipt through the sky 
With outstretched hand to hush my sigh — 
To live again our child of love. 

95 



GOLDEN LARK 



Baal John 

In truth, dear wife, the sacred brim 
Of our communion cup runs o'er. 
On thy fair bosom sorrows dim — 
Forgotten in thy thoughts of Him. 
God smiles upon thee more and more. 



ASHTORETH 

Soft words, my love, commend repose; 
They lift my heart to heights more blest. 
But lend thine ear to my request, 
And dream no more, like this white rose 
That tranquil lies upon my breast. 

Forget the stars, the moon, the sun. 
And view my vision of the night: — 
The powers supreme, when day was done. 
Came singing earthward; every one 
Spread wide a path of mystic light. 

(Vision proves to Ashtoreth that her child is 
the reincarnated Golden Lark.) 

97 



GOLDEN LARK 



And as I looked the vision grew. 
Illumed against a wondrous sky; 
It seemed the hallow'd presence drew 
A babe from out the purest blue — 
To still my mother-heart its cry. 

There was a noise of wings 'mid bloom, 
Like fairies brushed against the trees ; 
They burst the regal-rainbow loom 
Of varied colours — then made room 
For warbling bird upon the breeze. 

And to our bridal chamber came 
The heav'nly throng as to a feast. 
They shut the door. They called my name 
A sacred incense seemed to flame 
As dawn upon the jasper east. 

Baal John 

Comes after pain a lulling calm, 
Comes after night the fairest morn. 
Out of God's melody the psalm 
Proclaims new joys of richest balm. 
When unto thee Love's child is born ! 

99 



GOLDEN LARK 



There is no time, beloved wife. 
God is eternal, light or dark! 
The majesty of song is rife — 
There is no death! All life is life — 
She'll live again — Our Golden Lark. 

Baal John and Ashtoreth 
A glory lingers on the earth 
Christ's face is shining through the dark. 
His Love will broaden mortal girth 
In that white hour of her dear birth — 
Reincarnated Golden Lark! 

Scene Fourth, The sacred portals. With 
great solemnity Ashtoreth hands the child. 
Golden Lark, to Baal John. They kneel 
before a shrine in prayer. Once more the 
Spirits appear and chant a benediction. 

Chorus of Spirits 

Before a shrine in fervent prayer, 
Like saints they kneel this holy night. 
O blessed Love! They know thee fair. 

lOI 



GOLDEN LARK 



Fair, young and strong, absolved of care — 
Lead thou them on through paths of light. 

Toward Paradise direct them now, 
Forever more with saints to dwell. 
O God Eternal, seal Love's vow. 
Before thy majesty we bow — 
We shall return no more. Farewell ! ! 

Curtain, 



T03 



NOV 22 1911 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 

NOV 72 ^«t i 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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